Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. (ATI) announces its 2016 Masquerade Gala, set for Saturday, November 5, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the SUNY Cortland Alumni House. Grammy award-winning artist Lonnie Park is set to play live piano and there will be hors d’oeuvres, raffles and a silent auction. Tickets are just $25.00 and are available at ATI’s offices at 26 North Main Street. For more information, call 607-753-7363.

Access to Independence (ATI) believes that all people with disabilities should have the right to control their own lives, make their own decisions and to participate fully in society. Unfortunately, many of the systems and laws currently in place in society serve as barriers to this independent living philosophy. That is why the resources and advocacy ATI provides are so critical, now, more than ever before.

Access to Independence provides a number of greatly needed services to families, caregivers and individuals with disabilities in our community, including peer counseling, independent living skills training, youth transition services, home and community-based support services, nursing home transition and diversion services, work readiness services, loans of durable medical equipment, assistive technology and accessibility home modifications, to name just a few. Last year, ATI provided routine services to 387 community residents and it provided more than 4,000 other individuals with at least one service.

Access to Independence also provides substantial systems advocacy efforts to fight for the civil rights of people with disabilities and to promote increased access to all aspects of the community. Unfortunately, barriers persist and needs are unmet for too many people with disabilities. Whether it be the lack of accessible housing and transportation, the absence of inclusive social and recreation opportunities or the shortage of employment opportunities, ATI’s mission, vision and values have never been so clear.

Proceeds from ATI’s Gala will support ATI’s efforts to increase awareness of disability issues, publicize the lack of equal human and civil rights for people with disabilities, and increase the opportunity for all people to live as independently as possible. Lastly, it will invest in ATI’s vision: “to lead the community towards an all-inclusive future where discrimination and physical barriers no longer exist”.